HO YANG FINE ART
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Ho Yang Fine Art

art for Melanie

3/15/2023

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THREE was created for my friend, Melanie.
We met freshman year, fall 1986 at Tufts University.
Here is one segment of our story... painted & written, I share this with her. 
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art-work by request
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a fresh start

2/14/2023

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My BLUE series was not created in sequence despite the numbering 1 through 14 might lead viewers to believe.
​Which is also to say my next series, RED began before I finished BLUE no. 8 & 9 and no. 12.
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blue no. 8 & 9, two of a kind - each, 30" x 40" mixed media on canvas (POR)
Blue is the organizing color along with my use of mixed media and acrylics on a variety of canvas sizes.
The choice of blue to carry my work from 2020 into 2023 was intentional.
Among many reasons, blue reflects three years of missing my dad, George (1930-2019). And more.
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blue no. 12, BreAthE - 36" x 60" mixed media on canvas (NFS)
Blue was the color we chose when we re-painted (June 2021) our building façade at 121 Vance Street.
Specifically Sherwin Williams's 2020 color-of-the-year "naval" SW no. 6244,
which then (Feb. 2020), I decided to use on 6 canvases (no. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12)
as a test run ​before committing to it on our storefront. 
The series began with blue no. 1 and from there,
by working on one or more paintings on any given day,

the series unfolded over the next three years: 
BLUE series (2020 - 2023)
(click link to view updated SERIES, within ARTIST)
no. 1 (hydrangeas) - February - June 2019
no. 2 & 3 - April - May 2022
no. 4 (always choose love) - October 2016 - (breaks, on & off) - August 2020
no. 5,6,7 (finding common ground) - May - October 2020
no. 8 & 9 (two of a kind) - May 2020 - (breaks, on & off) - February 2023
no. 10 & 11 - June 2020
no. 12 (BreAthE) - May 2020 - (breaks, on & off) - February 2023
no. 13 & 14 - October 2020
This month, I finished blue no. 8 & 9, two of a kind created side-by-side as one work. 
-- mixed media: dried flowers (from friends & family), black inks, glass beads, acrylics --
Simultaneously, I signed off on ​blue no. 12, BreAthE. 
-- mixed media: pages of medical journals & magazines, black inks, paper, acrylics --
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medical journals & magazines for blue no. 12, BreAthE
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Feb. 14, 2023 - blue & red on our storefront at 121 Vance Street in Downtown Clinton, NC
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heartfelt gifts from friends & family, flowers for blue no. 8&9, two of a kind
Creating each BLUE artwork was intentional, conscious, and deliberate.
M
aking art got me through the last three years.

In addition to naval SW no. 6244,
we chose Sherwin Williams's "poinsettia" SW no. 6594
as the accent color
 ​for our signage at 121 Vance Street:
GYang (signature) and Ho Yang Fine Art (logo). 
In February 2022, I started my RED series with no. 1, red chairs
-- in process, not yet signed --
Today, with both YELLOW & BLUE series completed,
a look back to
 Dragon & Phoenix (2008)
-- blue orb, yellow background, signed GYang in red --

brings me full circle to  RED (ongoing) as my next series and a fresh start.
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Dragon & Phoenix (Dec. 2008) - 30x30" acrylic on cradled panel (NFS)
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color choices for 121 Vance Street
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red no. 1, red chairs (1 of 2, in process, unsigned)

also completed and signed GYang this month:
#TrippingThisLife3 sketchbook (2018-2023)
​

I remain thankful for each day filled with art & love. 
​Sincerely, Grace 

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Jan. 07, 2023 sunrise...
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inspired by sunrise colors TTL3 sketchbook page 31, yes Darling SXM - signed GYang w/ HYFA logo
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GYang (2012) - 36" x 72" mixed media on canvas (NFS)
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Fine art from sketches...

6/13/2022

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I started my freshman year at Tufts University in the fall of 1986; I knew that I loved art and I had aspirations of being a doctor so I set academic goals to justify the tuition. I also had hopes of being a parent one day and did not see how that could happen while I was young, enjoying my semi-independence away from home, making new friends and simply being content with figuring out life. Then, Ken came into my life... I still have that page with the first words he wrote to me. 
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sketches on a yellow notepad ...it was dated 4/4/90
Ken majored in English while at Tufts, and he has periodically written articles for our local paper so I am deeply touched that he took time to write his version of our story, "Fine art from sketches on a yellow notepad" published in The Sampson Independent (Sat. June 11, 2022).  
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6/12/2022 photo - front door at 121 Vance Street, view into the gallery
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4/25/2022 photo - front window at 121 Vance Street, original painting, "healing" 36x60x1.5" mixed media on canvas (POR)
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04/19/2022 photo - studio space at 121 Vance Street
In 2017 I wrote, "How we met twice in a lifetime..." from the moment he scribbled on my yellow notepad, I was smitten and I remain undeniably biased, Ken is my favorite writer. 

Finally trying out the iMovie app on my phone (old dog, new tricks...). This video, Fine art from sketches includes pages from my sketchbook (art-work created for University of Florida, Masters of Art in Art Education, Summer Sketchbook course 2014) and is dedicated to my husband & our parents, our children, and our community (near & far): thank you, thank you, thank you. I had a lot of help getting here. And I am grateful to be (still) figuring out life with all of you, all ages ...all are welcome. 
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6/12/2022 photo - 2 pages of my UF sketchbook (signed GYang on 6/13/2014)
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engaged

1/11/2022

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Picture
engaged no. 1 - 10 x10 x1.5" mixed media on canvas
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engaged no. 2 - 10 x 10 x 1.5" mixed media on canvas
In the living room hung a single original work of art: pink blossoms, dark gray branches, a calm composition of nature's beauty, all hand-painted strokes of ink. I don't know where the painting is and any trace of it has disappeared.

​Growing up, I didn't know that my mother painted at some point before being a parent. And it was during her earlier years as a grandmother when she decided to tell me about the original piece in the living room. She spoke briefly about  technique and chose to say little else. I had hoped the moment would last a bit longer. 
In 2011, I bought inks and brushes while vacationing in China. Eventually, I asked my mother if she would ever want to paint again. She gave it a go: used a few different brushes, wrote some Chinese characters, and then, set it all aside when she could no longer hold the brush well enough to do more.

​Our children know her lovingly as PoPo.
On June 11, 2021 our son, Casey proposed and Emily said, yes. Shortly thereafter, I received a mother-daughter request (surprise Christmas gift) to create art celebrating the engagement. Emily gave me a collection of dried flowers: deep blue, light pink, creamy white sweet peas that were present at the family gathering, along with roses, orchids, peonies from her mother. ​
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Remembering when I first met Emily, it was May 2017 at Yankee Stadium with Casey wearing his Red Sox hat, celebrating graduation day - fun, beautiful, brave, happy, brilliant. With the warmth of their connection, I asked Casey about the design of their engagement ring and began working... sketching larger circles followed by smaller ones, playing with gold on white. 
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renewal (2018) - 36x36" mixed media on canvas (dried flowers, black inks, chalk pastel, acrylics) - private collection
Then, using the circle motif in "renewal" (2018), I began to paint: first in black (ink purchased in China); then, in gold with rings that reflected canvas no. 1 with no. 2, canvas no. 3 with no. 4. To balance the spaces between brush strokes, other elements were added: dried flowers (mother-daughter); a variety of red and green beads (Christmas); red pigment to stamp the Ho/Yang chinese characters on rice paper (art signed GYang); white and violet (NYU colors); yellow and blue to make green (the color of Emily and Casey's couch). Four pieces, each entitled, "engaged" -- art elements, moments with loved ones, memories we share -- apart/together, awaiting new stories to be told. 
Picture
"For..." (2015) - 20 x 20" mixed media on canvas - NFS
Cheers, Casey & Emily (engaged no. 1 & no. 2) 
Merry Christmas, Tran Family (engaged no. 3 & no. 4) 
"For Mom... painting her blossoms before I knew how" (2015)
​

​​In time, she showed me how.
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engaged no. 3 - 24 x 24" mixed media on canvas
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engaged no. 4 - 24 x 24" mixed media on canvas
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we will...

10/21/2021

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Picture
Dragon and Phoenix (Dec. 2008, 15 years) - 30x30” acrylic (private collection)
This morning, Ken pinged my whatsApp with a NYT article; in brief, they ran the presses to say the institution of marriage is fading. I messaged him back our usual, 1234 before taking the next few minutes to read the news. Which brings me here, how far back do I go. ​

Seven months and 7 days after our first date. In the winter of 1990, the proposal of marriage did not happen by tradition. Quiet, cold, evening - just the two of us. He said, I want to spend my life with you. Me, what?!  Then, flowing with the spontaneity of the moment, he gave me an invisible ring as a place holder. After it skipped a beat or two, I gave him my heart. Me, Yes!  Three years later, the wedding took place only because we canceled the elopement. More recently, I lost the heart-shaped diamond that sat squarely on my engagement ring. We searched everywhere. I crawled on the kitchen floor and did not find it. No diamond would ever measure up to invisible. ​
Sometimes I like to say, I married up. And, according to the NYT article, we got a license with tax benefits as part of the deal. Commitment is about Up’s and all the Down’s. It’s an affair of the heart with aches and pains that leave cracks, chips, broken pieces that we try to repair every chance we get. It’s more than just, I do. It’s often times about, we will. Live, love, cherish this chance at life. You are and will be my one and only forever. ​
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Oct. 10, 2021: ongoing work in my sketchbook #TrippingThisLife3
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Oct. 19, 2021: rear entrance area at 121 Vance Street... renovation almost done.
As we approach the end of our renovation project, the one person who has stood by my side is still here. Long before the purchase of our property at 121 Vance Street (Clinton, NC) in June of 2019, we promised to spend our life together. In sickness and in health, the journey continues. Onward, peeps ❤️❤️❤️❤️


NYT article: The Married Will Soon Be the Minority https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/20/opinion/marriage-decline-america.html?referringSource=articleShare
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imagine the stories we share...

3/19/2021

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Picture
Younger me believed in keeping my birth name as I grew into adulthood. I imagined my medical degree, white lab coat, name tags... the usual identifiers labeled with "Dr. Ho" in honor of my family. At 21, I had not planned on finding a friend who would embrace what it means to keep my family name. As a tribute to us, I sign all art-work GYang - a reflection of me, Ken and our life together.
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detail of #BLUE no. 6 - mixed media on canvas
Marriage traditionalists have asked, "Why didn't you take his last name?" What's in a name? A birth name. Family name. First and middle names. Nicknames. How much of a person's identity is tied to the implications of a name: ancestries, assumptions of race, nationalities, cultural norms, gender, societal expectations and the many stories that go with it? A name can say everything, something, and nothing more or less than what was intended. 
In the art world, consider the name given to a painting; the title, even when labeled "untitled" suggests something about the work. Each painting holds stories not only about the art and its artist, but also stories imagined by its viewers. The deeper impact, beauty and wonder exist in these stories that live beyond the title and visual first impressions. 
Recently finished: "finding common ground" (#BLUE no. 5, 6, 7) - 3 side-by-side canvases, each 24x36" mixed media (black inks, chalk pastels, dried flowers, glass beads, acrylics) 
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#BLUE no. 5 (finding...) - 24x36" mixed media on canvas
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#BLUE no. 6 (common) - 24x36" mixed media on canvas
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#BLUE no. 7 (...ground) - 24x36" mixed media on canvas

​So when we meet, after that first, "hello, my name is..." I hope to have the chance to swap stories. It's about understanding who we are, what we don't know, how we care for one another and choose to be together... imagine the stories we share. 
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March 16-18, 2021 - in my sketchbook #TrippingThisLife3
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March 19, 2021 - in my sketchbook #TrippingThisLife3

​Dedicated to strangers, the ones unafraid to walk this path with me, with us
-- Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders --
​it's worth repeating, ​Thank You. 
updated Feb. 08, 2023 #BLUE series (2020-2023)
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Something blue...

11/6/2020

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It began as a curiosity. When I saw “naval” (SW 6244) introduced as Sherwin Williams’ 2020 paint color of the year, I pictured the ends of our world — midnight skies, depths of oceans — and imagined possibilities for its use in my work. 
Picture
SW 6244 latex paint & canvases
In February, I started my #BLUE series with familiar materials: dried flowers, black inks, red glass beads, acrylic paints & mediums to create “hydrangeas” (36x36” canvas, #BLUE no. 1). Since then, I’ve been using varying sizes — 6x6” (each, no. 2, 3); 20x60” (no. 4); 24x36” (each, no. 5, 6, 7); 30x40" (each, no. 8, 9); 8x10" (each, no. 10, 11); 36x60” (no. 12) — to explore new ideas. 
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hydrangeas (my lucky #6) - 36x36" mixed media on canvas - #BLUE no. 1

​While working in my art studio, I listen — to the news, music, friends, family, or nothing but the movements around me: wheels of my easel rolling, birds living outside, Jinx barking at the delivery truck in our driveway, the tired hum of our 15-passenger van bringing Ken back home. And sometimes when I’m not painting, I’m reading. Admittedly old-school and nerdy, turning paper pages of hard-covered books and medical journals that arrive by snail mail are my favorites. Creating, working, listening, reading, learning... all reminders that I’m lucky to have another day. 
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medical journals since mid-March 2020
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always #chooselove - 20x60" mixed media on canvas #BLUE no. 4 - private collection

​Art reflects life — feelings & emotions, thoughts & actions, places & moments, friends & strangers. These days, the process of using blue in my art inherently reflects sadness: too many lives lost and devastatingly impacted by extraordinary events. I miss seeing smiles on faces, going to faraway places, being with you in person, doing seemingly ordinary things. 
Focusing on blue may seem ordinary, that is, before that initial curiosity grows with exploration. Then, using navy blue in series to reveal its potential — vast, far reaching, deep, peaceful, calming — becomes an unexpected source of joy. 
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#BLUE no. 10, 11 - Leaves, R & L - mixed media on 8x10" each, grey toned panel - private collection

​As winter approaches, I’ll continue to take breaks from extraordinary. Look and listen in spaces without noise. Be curious. Choose from my stacks of favorites. Read. Explore new ideas. Learn. Make art. And hope you’ll find joy, perhaps even in something blue. 

View process photos updated Feb. 08, 2023  BLUE series (2020-2023),  Gallery. 

Please continue to take care, be safe, stay well and mask up. 

With deepest gratitude and love, this is dedicated to Dad (R.I.P. Sept. 2019) and Mom
​...married 50+ years today. 
​
#becauseARTmatters ❤️
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Healing...

6/3/2020

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As an artist, my work reflects life. 
As a retired family physician, my mission to serve people 
from different walks of life remains a purpose.

Amid the pain, suffering, dying and deaths, my heart aches for humanity.
​I remain hopeful for better times when I see small and big acts of kindness
happening in neighborhoods, communities, nations ...all over the world.
Healing takes time. 
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We're asking for patience and kindness...

4/8/2020

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** We're asking for patience & kindness from our community and wishing our 121 Vance Street project partners much luck with the start of demolition soon. ** 
Picture
April 8, 2020: parking lot behind Vance Street, Clinton, NC (rear blue door, our space)
Around 7am this morning, Ken took this photo on his way to work. By itself, it's a photo of a dumpster in a vacant parking lot, a quiet moment in downtown Clinton, NC. For me, seeing this photo, I'm hopeful for a brighter future.

I'm also feeling nervous, scared, sad and praying for the safety and health of everyone.

I'm saddened by the many lives lost and impacted by Covid19 and SARS-CoV-2. 

I'm relying on experiences of past critical public health events that Ken and I have shared, working together in medicine and health care. And this reminds us, we're a couple of science geeks.

I'm trying to stay positive during this global pandemic.

I'm holding onto small & big sources of joy.

I'm making art.

I'm feeling lucky to have another day.
​
​And I'm happy to see Ken come home at the end of each day. Our kids make me laugh and smile, always. 
Picture
April 6, 2020: card I made for Ken, celebrating 30 years of dating my forever love.
** We are grateful to have the love and support of family, friends, and a wonderful community. We miss seeing everyone. We're here, if there's anything we can possibly do for you. **

Please continue to take care of one another and stay well ❤️
** Grace & Ken ** 
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Stay at home...

3/22/2020

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      Since 2003, I’ve been a “stay at home” parent. I decided to take a leave from the best job I ever had in order to spend more time with my kids. And being well aware of having privileges at the time, I’m most grateful for the unexpected moments... like when our 18-month old daughter said, “delicious” (not “yum” or “good”) to describe how lunch tasted. 

     My privileges (being married, being a parent, having a home, not being paid for working at home, etc.) included having had a job working 100+ hours/week, side by side with my friend, Ken to pay off school loans & a mortgage, save up when we could, and spend on extra things that nobody actually needs. 

      Of the extra things I thought I didn’t need, turns out “staying at home” has been the most important work I have ever known. Of the privileges, having extra time with my kids wasn’t extra. It was simply time. And if I’m lucky, what remains at the end of each day is another tomorrow. 
​

     This is dedicated to Kayla, our high school senior: oh my goodness, what a privilege it has been to be your mother! My love to you and your peers of today and tomorrow, may your days be filled with priceless “delicious” little moments. 
Picture
unconditional love - 36x36" mixed media on canvas (SOLD...unconditionally to Kayla)
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    Owner of HYFA. Original art-work signed GYang. Artist, educator, and advocate ...because art matters. Retired Family Physician (MD)

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Ho Yang Fine Art 2008 - 2023 all rights reserved.
Respect that intellectual and artistic creativity of original HYFA art/work belong to Grace W. Ho.
DO NOT copy, print or reprint, produce or reproduce, claim rights to HYFA art/work.
  • home
  • artist
    • Gallery >
      • 2020 - present
      • 2015 - 2020
      • 2009 - 2014
      • collected
    • Series >
      • red (ongoing)
      • naturally...
      • thankful...
      • blue (2020-2023)
      • together (2019 - present)
      • yellow (2019-2020)
      • embrace 50 (2018-2019)
      • breadcrumbs (2017-2018)
    • Sketchbooks >
      • #TrippingThisLife3 (2018-2023)
      • #TrippingThisLife2 (2016-2018)
      • #TrippingThisLife (2015-2016)
      • Reflections (2014)
    • Exhibitions >
      • Season of LOVE
      • FALL 2022
      • SPRING 2022
      • HYFA in Raleigh, NC (2016-2018)
      • Exhibition Summer 2015
      • Exhibition Summer 2010
      • Go Hog Wild (2010)
  • 121 Vance Street
    • HYFA studio*gallery*shop
    • shop online
    • events >
      • Season of LOVE
      • FALL 2022
      • SPRING 2022
      • Opening Day - April 22, 2022
  • educator
    • teaching artist
    • art, education, & perspectives...
  • advocate
  • about
  • blog
  • contact
    • art-work by request